Imagine actually sitting down to enjoy the meal along with your family and friends. With only a little planning, the pace can be as leisurely as you like. You can start some things the night before, giving you a jump on things come morning.

Serve the sticky buns as a breakfast appetizer. The hungry horde can devour them first, which will tide them while the rest of the meal comes together. While the eggs are baking, you'll have time to refill drinks, cook the sausage, and butter the toast.

Don't feel compelled to divulge that this great breakfast isn't difficult to make. Graciously accept all the kudos that the happy eaters offer up. Then sit down and eat with them.

A Holiday Breakfast Menu

A Holiday Breakfast That's Easier Than It Looks: The Menu

• Caramel-Pecan Sticky Buns (get the recipe) - They look like yeast rolls, but these warm, gooey, buttery sticky buns are actually drop biscuits baked in a muffin tin. Just stir, scoop, and bake. Get a head start by measuring the ingredients the night before and stashing them in the fridge.

• Eggs Baked in Creamed Spinach(get the recipe) - The decadent creamed spinach can be made ahead. The next morning, spoon it into individual baking dishes, add an egg to each, and pop them in the oven. The texture of baked eggs is quite similar to poached eggs, but the stress-free technique makes them considerably easier, neater. All the eggs cook at the same time, so everyone can eat at the same time, including the cook.

• Breakfast Sausage Links or Patties - You can buy these, if you wish. There are darned good heat-and-eat packaged versions.

Sheri Castle is a professional food writer, recipe developer, recipe
tester, and culinary instructor. She is known for melding storytelling, humor, and culinary expertise, so she can tell a tale while making a memorable meal.